Although coal has played an important role in the history of our country, it has some health and environmental impacts that are difficult to ignore. In this episode, Casey and Sara continue their series on energy and take a look at the pros and cons of coal, and the state of the coal industry in the United States today.   Resources for this episode:  NASA Climate Kids: Coal US Energy Information Administration: Coal Explained Forbes: Renewable Energy Prices Hit Record Lows EPA: Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions End of Coal in Sight at COP26 Our World in Data: Fossil Fuels National Geographic: High Cost of Cheap Coal

Although coal has played an important role in the history of our country, it has some health and environmental impacts that are difficult to ignore. In this episode, Casey and Sara continue their series on energy and take a look at the pros and cons of coal, and the state of the coal industry in the United States today. Resources for this episode:  <a href="https://climatekids.nasa.gov/fossil-fuels-coal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NASA Climate Kids: Coal</a> <a href="https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/coal/imports-and-exports.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US Energy Information Administration: Coal Explained</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2020/01/21/renewable-energy-prices-hit-record-lows-how-can-utilities-benefit-from-unstoppable-solar-and-wind/?sh=48cc40d32c84" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Forbes: Renewable Energy Prices Hit Record Lows</a> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Greenhouse%20Gas%20Emissions%20in%20the%20Electricity%20Sector%20by%20Fuel%20Source,the%20United%20States%20in%202020" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EPA: Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions</a> <a href="https://unfccc.int/news/end-of-coal-in-sight-at-cop26#:~:text=At%20least%2023%20nations%20made,%2C%20Singapore%2C%20Chile%20and%20Ukraine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">End of Coal in Sight at COP26</a> <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/fossil-fuels" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Our World in Data: Fossil Fuels</a> <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/high-cost-coal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Geographic: High Cost of Cheap Coal</a>

Energy Series: Coal

The beach is a fun and relaxing vacation destination for many people, but it is also part of a vital habitat for many species. Sara and Casey discuss some of the ways that we can incorporate sustainability into a day at the beach.   Resources for this episode: Eco-friendly Sunscreen Guide NOAA: Sunscreen Chemicals and Marine Life PLOYS: items made from recycled pool inflatables  The Ecoboard Project Sea Turtle Conservancy: What To Do If You Encounter a Sea Turtle Tour De Turtles

The beach is a fun and relaxing vacation destination for many people, but it is also part of a vital habitat for many species. Sara and Casey discuss some of the ways that we can incorporate sustainability into a day at the beach. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://bantoxicsunscreens.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/eco-friendly-reef-safe-sunscreen-guide-ban-toxic-sunscreens-web2.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eco-friendly Sunscreen Guide</a> <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NOAA: Sunscreen Chemicals and Marine Life</a> <a href="https://ploys.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PLOYS: items made from recycled pool inflatables </a> <a href="http://ecoboard.sustainablesurf.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ecoboard Project</a> <a href="https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-encounter-sea-turtle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sea Turtle Conservancy: What To Do If You Encounter a Sea Turtle</a> <a href="https://tourdeturtles.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tour De Turtles</a>

A Day at the Beach

A wedding is a big event for many people, but if you're looking for a way to keep your big day from having a big environmental impact, there are lots of options out there for you! And even if you're not planning a wedding, Casey and Sara discuss some of the was we can be a little greener participants and attendees.   Resources for this episode: Bastet Noir   Dear Cleo Wildlife Friendly Wedding Guide (Center for Biological Diversity)

A wedding is a big event for many people, but if you're looking for a way to keep your big day from having a big environmental impact, there are lots of options out there for you! And even if you're not planning a wedding, Casey and Sara discuss some of the was we can be a little greener participants and attendees. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://bastetnoir.com/collections/the-bridesmaids-collection" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bastet Noir</a><a href="https://bastetnoir.com/collections/the-bridesmaids-collection" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="https://dearcleo.com/pages/sustainability-promise" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dear Cleo</a> <a href="https://wildlifefriendlywedding.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wildlife Friendly Wedding Guide (Center for Biological Diversity)</a>

A (Little) Greener Wedding

First up in our energy series: solar! How do we harness the energy from the sun to produce electricity? Why should we? What are the environmental impacts?   Resources for this episode: National Renewable Energy Laboratory How Does Solar Work (energy.gov) End of Life Solar Panels: Regulations and Management How to Have Your Solar Farm and Keep Your Regular Farm Too (NPR) Solar Panels are Starting to Die (Grist) Life Cycle Assessment Harmonization Land Use Requirements of Solar

First up in our energy series: solar! How do we harness the energy from the sun to produce electricity? Why should we? What are the environmental impacts? Resources for this episode: <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-solar.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Renewable Energy Laboratory</a> <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How Does Solar Work (energy.gov)</a> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/hw/end-life-solar-panels-regulations-and-management#Are%20Solar%20Panels%20Hazardous%20Waste" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">End of Life Solar Panels: Regulations and Management</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/10/09/919225272/how-to-have-your-solar-farm-and-keep-your-regular-farm-too" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Have Your Solar Farm and Keep Your Regular Farm Too (NPR)</a> <a href="https://grist.org/energy/solar-panels-are-starting-to-die-what-will-we-do-with-the-megatons-of-toxic-trash/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Solar Panels are Starting to Die (Grist)</a> <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/life-cycle-assessment.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life Cycle Assessment Harmonization</a> <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2013/2269.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Land Use Requirements of Solar</a>

Solar Energy

With works like the documentary My Octopus Teacher appearing on Netflix and  National Book Award Finalist honors given to Soul of an Octopus, more and more people are coming to appreciate these graceful and intelligent cephalopods. But, what is a cephalopod, you ask, and what is it really that makes the octopus so amazing? And what's the plural of octopus, anyway? Casey and Sara answer all this and more as they geek out over the octopus on this week's episode!   Resources for this episode: Cephalopods (Smithsonian) Octopuses Keep Surprising Us (The Natural History Museum) Vision and Camouflage (Scientific American)  Cephalopod Brains (Frontiers) The Case Against Octopus Farming (Arizona State University) World's First Octopus Farm Stirs Ethical Debate (Reuters)

With works like the documentary My Octopus Teacher appearing on Netflix and  National Book Award Finalist honors given to Soul of an Octopus, more and more people are coming to appreciate these graceful and intelligent cephalopods. But, what is a cephalopod, you ask, and what is it really that makes the octopus so amazing? And what's the plural of octopus, anyway? Casey and Sara answer all this and more as they geek out over the octopus on this week's episode! Resources for this episode: <a href="https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/cephalopods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cephalopods (Smithsonian)</a> <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/octopuses-keep-surprising-us-here-are-eight-examples-how.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Octopuses Keep Surprising Us (The Natural History Museum)</a> <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/polarized-display-sheds-light-on-octopus-and-cuttlefish-vision-and-camouflage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vision and Camouflage (Scientific American) </a> <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00952/full" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cephalopod Brains (Frontiers)</a> <a href="https://issues.org/the-case-against-octopus-farming/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Case Against Octopus Farming (Arizona State University)</a> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/worlds-first-octopus-farm-stirs-ethical-debate-2022-02-23/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">World's First Octopus Farm Stirs Ethical Debate (Reuters)</a>

Octopodes

Frogs and toads are an incredibly diverse group of animals. They're found nearly everywhere around the world, are a critical component of the food web, and are valuable environmental indicators. On this episode, learn how you can get involved in frog conservation (and have some fun) by learning the unique calls of the frogs in your area.   Resources for this episode: FrogWatch USA Chapter List Frog and Toad Calls, Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (USGS): calls used in episode FrogID: citizen science program in Australia Frog Fact SheetThe FrogID dataset: expert-validated occurrence records of Australia’s frogs collected by citizen scientists Frogs and Toads of Pennsylvania

Frogs and toads are an incredibly diverse group of animals. They're found nearly everywhere around the world, are a critical component of the food web, and are valuable environmental indicators. On this episode, learn how you can get involved in frog conservation (and have some fun) by learning the unique calls of the frogs in your area. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://www.aza.org/frogwatch-usa-chapter-list?locale=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FrogWatch USA Chapter List</a> <a href="https://www.umesc.usgs.gov/terrestrial/amphibians/armi/frog_calls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frog and Toad Calls, Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (USGS)</a>: calls used in episode <a href="https://www.frogid.net.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FrogID</a>: citizen science program in Australia <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/frog-fact-sheet/#:~:text=Geography%3A,on%20every%20continent%20except%20Antarctica" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frog Fact Sheet</a><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040047/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The FrogID dataset: expert-validated occurrence records of Australia’s frogs collected by citizen scientists</a> <a href="https://www.paherps.com/herps/frogs-toads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frogs and Toads of Pennsylvania</a>

Frog Watch

According to the World Health Organization, over 9 out of 10 people live in areas with excessive air pollution, and yet, it's something many of us may not often think about. Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on what causes air pollution, its impacts on health and the environment, and what we can do about it.    Resources for this episode: Deadly Denora Smog of 1948 (Smithsonian Mag) Air Pollution (WHO) Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know (NRDC) Effects of Air Pollution (Center for Science Education) Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges (EPA) Air Pollution Laws Aimed at Human Health also Help Birds (Cornell) Urban Environment and Cancer in Wildlife 

According to the World Health Organization, over 9 out of 10 people live in areas with excessive air pollution, and yet, it's something many of us may not often think about. Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on what causes air pollution, its impacts on health and the environment, and what we can do about it.  Resources for this episode: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/deadly-donora-smog-1948-spurred-environmental-protection-have-we-forgotten-lesson-180970533/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deadly Denora Smog of 1948 (Smithsonian Mag)</a> <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Air Pollution (WHO)</a> <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know (NRDC)</a> <a href="https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality/effects-air-pollution" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Effects of Air Pollution (Center for Science Education)</a> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-current-and-future-challenges" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges (EPA)</a> <a href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/11/study-air-pollution-laws-aimed-human-health-also-help-birds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Air Pollution Laws Aimed at Human Health also Help Birds (Cornell)</a> <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.2434" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Urban Environment and Cancer in Wildlife </a>

Air Pollution

It might be tempting to dismiss cities as nature wastelands, but not only are cities here to stay, and only projected to grow, they actually have some environmental benefits. Sara and Casey discuss the pros and cons of cities, and what we need to do to make cities sustainable in the future.    Resources for this episode: Field Guide to Conservation In Cities (The Nature Conservancy) Cities Aren't the Wildlife Deserts Scientists Once Feared Large Cities Fall Behind in "Neighborhood Biodiversity" How to Tell if You Live in the Suburbs Public Health Reviews: Urbanization, A Problem for the Rich and the Poor? Cities Can Be Part of the Solution in Sustaining Species Plan Melbourne: Inclusive, Vibrant, and Healthy Neighborhoods

It might be tempting to dismiss cities as nature wastelands, but not only are cities here to stay, and only projected to grow, they actually have some environmental benefits. Sara and Casey discuss the pros and cons of cities, and what we need to do to make cities sustainable in the future.  Resources for this episode: <a href="https://www.nature.org/media/northamerica/field-guide-conservation-in-cities.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Field Guide to Conservation In Cities (The Nature Conservancy)</a> <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/cities-arent-the-wildlife-deserts-scientists-once-feared/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cities Aren't the Wildlife Deserts Scientists Once Feared</a> <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2021.734931/full" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Large Cities Fall Behind in "Neighborhood Biodiversity"</a> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-07/how-to-define-american-suburbs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Tell if You Live in the Suburbs</a> <a href="https://publichealthreviews.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40985-019-0116-0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public Health Reviews: Urbanization, A Problem for the Rich and the Poor?</a> <a href="https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/cities-can-be-part-solution-sustaining-species" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cities Can Be Part of the Solution in Sustaining Species</a> <a href="https://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/highlights/healthy,-vibrant-and-inclusive-neighbourhoods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plan Melbourne: Inclusive, Vibrant, and Healthy Neighborhoods</a>

The Future of Cities

What is HPAI and what does it have to do with the price of eggs (get it)? While this may not immediately seem relevant to conservation, the fact is that both human health and our food supply are intrinsically connected to nature--and diseases like HPAI are a reminder of this. This week, Casey and Sara discuss the origin, impacts, and control of the current strain of avian influenza. 

What is HPAI and what does it have to do with the price of eggs (get it)? While this may not immediately seem relevant to conservation, the fact is that both human health and our food supply are intrinsically connected to nature--and diseases like HPAI are a reminder of this. This week, Casey and Sara discuss the origin, impacts, and control of the current strain of avian influenza.

2022 Avian Influenza

From color change to flight to pulling water from the air, plants and animals have some pretty amazing adaptations. Biomimicry is the idea that we can look to and learn from the natural world to find innovations and solutions to challenges that we might face. On this episode, Sara and Casey discuss favorite animal adaptations and share a few examples of biomimicry in action.   Resources for this episode: www.asknature.org Biomimicry: A History (Ohio State University) Butterfly Wings Have a Hidden Structure That Rivals Vantablack in Its Darkness Researching the Kingfisher's Hydrodynamic Design

From color change to flight to pulling water from the air, plants and animals have some pretty amazing adaptations. Biomimicry is the idea that we can look to and learn from the natural world to find innovations and solutions to challenges that we might face. On this episode, Sara and Casey discuss favorite animal adaptations and share a few examples of biomimicry in action. Resources for this episode: <a href="http://www.asknature.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.asknature.org</a> <a href="https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/biomimicry-a-history#:~:text=Use%20of%20the%20material%20is,learn%20from%20the%20brilliant%20worm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Biomimicry: A History (Ohio State University)</a> <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/butterfly-wings-take-black-to-the-extreme-and-it-s-all-because-of-their-tiny-scales" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Butterfly Wings Have a Hidden Structure That Rivals Vantablack in Its Darkness</a> <a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-05-kingfisher-hydrodynamic.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Researching the Kingfisher's Hydrodynamic Design</a>

Biomimicry: Learning from Nature

Come join friends and environmental educators, Casey and Sara, as they discuss all things nature and explore how we can all live “A Little Greener.” This weekly podcast features conversations on topics ranging from backyard birding to global conservation projects, and everything in between.

You may have seen or heard about the IPCC climate change reports in the news on a fairly regular basis recently--often connected to talk of climate deadlines and dire warnings. So, what does this mean? Is there hope in the face of climate change? Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on the IPCC, fears, faith, and finding hope to fight climate change.   Resources for this episode: MRSC Local Climate Response Project Scientific American: Climate Report Offers Some Hope but the Need for Action is Urgent Christian Science Monitor: Amid the Gloom of Climate Change there is Hope Climate Home News: Saudi Arabia dilutes fossil fuel phase out language with techno fixes in IPCC report

You may have seen or heard about the IPCC climate change reports in the news on a fairly regular basis recently--often connected to talk of climate deadlines and dire warnings. So, what does this mean? Is there hope in the face of climate change? Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on the IPCC, fears, faith, and finding hope to fight climate change. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://mrsc.org/Home/Stay-Informed/MRSC-Insight/July-2021/MRSC-Launches-Local-Climate-Response-Project.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MRSC Local Climate Response Project</a> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-report-offers-some-hope-but-the-need-for-action-is-urgent/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scientific American: Climate Report Offers Some Hope but the Need for Action is Urgent</a> <a href="https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2022/0228/Amid-the-gloom-of-climate-change-there-is-hope-says-UN-report" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christian Science Monitor: Amid the Gloom of Climate Change there is Hope</a> <a href="https://www.climatechangenews.com/2022/04/04/saudi-arabia-dilutes-fossil-fuel-phase-out-language-with-techno-fixes-in-ipcc-report/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Climate Home News: Saudi Arabia dilutes fossil fuel phase out language with techno fixes in IPCC report</a>

Finding Hope to Fight Climate Change

Fossil fuels provide the bulk of our energy supply today, but how did we get to this point? What other options are out there? Join Sara and Casey for a quick history of energy and a closer look at where we get the energy that powers our daily lives.  To complete your weekly challenges, visit: eGRID Power Profiler: https://www.epa.gov/egrid/power-profiler#/ US Energy Mapping System: https://www.eia.gov/state/maps.php   Resources for this episode: Energy timelines: https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/historical-timeline/ https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07506-z Data from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine: http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-use/home-work/ http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/ Power grid information and eGRID: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-does-us-power-grid-work#chapter-title-0-2 https://www.epa.gov/egrid

Fossil fuels provide the bulk of our energy supply today, but how did we get to this point? What other options are out there? Join Sara and Casey for a quick history of energy and a closer look at where we get the energy that powers our daily lives.  To complete your weekly challenges, visit: eGRID Power Profiler: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/egrid/power-profiler#/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.epa.gov/egrid/power-profiler#/</a> US Energy Mapping System: <a href="https://www.eia.gov/state/maps.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.eia.gov/state/maps.php</a> Resources for this episode: Energy timelines: <a href="https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/historical-timeline/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/historical-timeline/</a> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07506-z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07506-z</a> Data from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine: <a href="http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-use/home-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-use/home-work/</a> <a href="http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/</a> Power grid information and eGRID: <a href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-does-us-power-grid-work#chapter-title-0-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-does-us-power-grid-work#chapter-title-0-2</a> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/egrid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.epa.gov/egrid</a>

Energy 101

If you're searching for ways to live a little greener, one of the suggestions you'll likely come across is to reduce your dairy intake. This week, Sara and Casey discuss the environmental impacts of dairy and consider the pros and cons of some of the available alternatives. Resources for this episode: How Dairy Milk has Improved its Environmental and Climate Impact (UC Davis) GHG Emissions by Livestock (UN FAO) Dairy Vs. Plant-Based Milk: What are the Environmental Impacts (Our World in Data) Nutrient Density of Beverages in Relation to Climate Impact Milking the Planet (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy) Should I Give Up Dairy Because of Climate Change? What Plant Milk Should I Drink?

If you're searching for ways to live a little greener, one of the suggestions you'll likely come across is to reduce your dairy intake. This week, Sara and Casey discuss the environmental impacts of dairy and consider the pros and cons of some of the available alternatives. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/how-dairy-milk-has-improved-its-environmental-and-climate-impact" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How Dairy Milk has Improved its Environmental and Climate Impact (UC Davis)</a> <a href="https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GHG Emissions by Livestock (UN FAO)</a> <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impact-milks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dairy Vs. Plant-Based Milk: What are the Environmental Impacts (Our World in Data)</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924839/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nutrient Density of Beverages in Relation to Climate Impact</a> <a href="https://www.iatp.org/milking-planet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Milking the Planet (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy)</a> <a href="https://grist.org/ask-umbra-series/should-i-give-up-dairy-because-of-climate-change/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Should I Give Up Dairy Because of Climate Change?</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/28/what-plant-milk-should-i-drink-almond-killing-bees-aoe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What Plant Milk Should I Drink?</a>

What’s the Deal with Dairy?

Whether you're growing food, planting for pollinators, or creating a landscape for curb appeal, gardening is an activity that helps us to get outdoors and get connected to nature. How we garden and what we put in our gardens also has an impact on our local environment. This week Casey and Sara discuss tips and tactics for becoming a greener gardener.

Whether you're growing food, planting for pollinators, or creating a landscape for curb appeal, gardening is an activity that helps us to get outdoors and get connected to nature. How we garden and what we put in our gardens also has an impact on our local environment. This week Casey and Sara discuss tips and tactics for becoming a greener gardener.

Greener Gardening

Casey and Sara discuss the joys, challenges, and impacts of the first year of A Little Greener and take a look at where the podcast is headed in the future. 

Casey and Sara discuss the joys, challenges, and impacts of the first year of A Little Greener and take a look at where the podcast is headed in the future.

One Year Greener

Seeing someone toss food to birds or squirrels is probably something most of us have experienced--or maybe done ourselves. We've also all probably seen plenty of signs posted at parks, restaurants, or beaches asking us not to feed wildlife. So why do we still do it? And is it really a problem? Sara and Casey discuss the motivations for and consequences of feeding wild animals.   Resources for this episode: Killing Deer With Kindness: article on changes in mule deer GI bacteria due to human feeding Do's and Don'ts of Duck Feeding Does Wedding Rice Make Birds Explode? Feeding Wildlife Can Disrupt Animal Social Structures A Framework to Evaluate Wildlife Feeding in Research, Wildlife Management, Tourism and Recreation

Seeing someone toss food to birds or squirrels is probably something most of us have experienced--or maybe done ourselves. We've also all probably seen plenty of signs posted at parks, restaurants, or beaches asking us not to feed wildlife. So why do we still do it? And is it really a problem? Sara and Casey discuss the motivations for and consequences of feeding wild animals. Resources for this episode: <a href="https://localnews8.com/life/animals/2022/03/07/killing-deer-with-kindness-the-harmful-side-effects-of-feeding-wintering-deer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Killing Deer With Kindness</a>: article on changes in mule deer GI bacteria due to human feeding <a href="https://maineaudubon.org/news/dos-and-donts-of-duck-feeding/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Do's and Don'ts of Duck Feeding</a> <a href="https://www.livescience.com/32624-does-wedding-rice-make-birds-explode.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Does Wedding Rice Make Birds Explode?</a> <a href="https://news.uga.edu/feeding-wildlife-disrupt-animal-social-structures/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Feeding Wildlife Can Disrupt Animal Social Structures</a> <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Npj47XmEfASwSZgxxh07JCEG-iwWJbal0-T5tvfdoA/edit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Framework to Evaluate Wildlife Feeding in Research, Wildlife Management, Tourism and Recreation</a>

Don’t Feed the Animals

With heavy hearts for those suffering from conflict, Casey and Sara take a look at the wildlife of Ukraine and discover that it feels surprisingly close to home!    Resources for this episode: 20 Endangered Species At Risk in Ukraine Wildlife in Ukraine Common Nightingale Audio Here's How You Can Help the People in Ukraine (NPR article)

With heavy hearts for those suffering from conflict, Casey and Sara take a look at the wildlife of Ukraine and discover that it feels surprisingly close to home!  Resources for this episode: <a href="https://therevelator.org/endangered-species-ukraine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">20 Endangered Species At Risk in Ukraine</a> <a href="https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/europe/ukraine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wildlife in Ukraine</a> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nachtigall.ogg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Common Nightingale Audio</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here's How You Can Help the People in Ukraine (NPR article)</a>

Wildlife of Ukraine

On this lighthearted episode, Casey and Sara chat with Olivia, creator and host of Remarkable Parks podcast, about the importance of parks, which parks they want to visit most, and some of the challenges our parks face. Sara and Olivia also take on Casey's National Park Trivia Challenge! Resources for this episode: https://findyourpark.com/ Benefits of parks: https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/Parks-Recreation-Essential-Public-Services-January-2010.pdf Overcrowding in parks: https://www.livescience.com/overcrowding-us-national-parks.html 

On this lighthearted episode, Casey and Sara chat with Olivia, creator and host of Remarkable Parks podcast, about the importance of parks, which parks they want to visit most, and some of the challenges our parks face. Sara and Olivia also take on Casey's National Park Trivia Challenge! Resources for this episode: <a href="https://findyourpark.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://findyourpark.com/</a> Benefits of parks: <a href="https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/Parks-Recreation-Essential-Public-Services-January-2010.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/Parks-Recreation-Essential-Public-Services-January-2010.pdf</a> Overcrowding in parks: <a href="https://www.livescience.com/overcrowding-us-national-parks.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.livescience.com/overcrowding-us-national-parks.html</a>

Talking Parks With Remarkable Parks Podcast

We love cats. Cute, cuddly, and playful, as well as tough and independent, domestic cats are found around the world. A study from the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that there are around 58 million pet cats in the United States alone. While cats can make great pets, when they're left to roam the great outdoors, they have a detrimental impact on native wildlife and ecosystems--not to mention their own health. Join Casey and Sara for a challenging discussion on how to approach the complex issue of cats as invasive species.

We love cats. Cute, cuddly, and playful, as well as tough and independent, domestic cats are found around the world. A study from the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that there are around 58 million pet cats in the United States alone. While cats can make great pets, when they're left to roam the great outdoors, they have a detrimental impact on native wildlife and ecosystems--not to mention their own health. Join Casey and Sara for a challenging discussion on how to approach the complex issue of cats as invasive species.

Killer Cats

What's the difference between a non-native species and an invasive species? Why does it matter if a species ends up outside of its native range? What does Shakespeare have to do with any of this? And what on earth are Eco-Men in Black? Find answers to all of this and more in this week's episode. Resources for this episode: Definition of invasive species: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species Burmese python introduction to Florida: https://www.history.com/news/burmese-python-invasion-florida-everglades General information on invasive species: https://www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species 

What's the difference between a non-native species and an invasive species? Why does it matter if a species ends up outside of its native range? What does Shakespeare have to do with any of this? And what on earth are Eco-Men in Black? Find answers to all of this and more in this week's episode. Resources for this episode: Definition of invasive species: <a href="https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species</a> Burmese python introduction to Florida: <a href="https://www.history.com/news/burmese-python-invasion-florida-everglades" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.history.com/news/burmese-python-invasion-florida-everglades</a> General information on invasive species: <a href="https://www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic</a> <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species</a>

Invasive Species

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